Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-09-17

L
aPretty girl, indeed. As if I should
be interested in herr said Clara, in
disdain. "No indeed-it's handsome
young man-none other than your old
admirer, Maude- Stephen Black"
ais it possible!" cried Maude, with a
blush of undisguised pleasure. "Why,
yes-there he is, sure enough! And
how handsome he is looking!"
"Humph! Women have strange
ideas of beauty" grumbled George, by
no means delighted with this turn OF
affairs.
aOh, we don't expect you to see how
charming he is" Clara fippantly an
swered; sit would scarcely be natural
under the circumstances. But Maude
and I think differently. And oh! he's
put his name on my card for three
dances!" And she fourished the bit OF
pasteboard in triumph.
George stretched out his hand for 1t.
"Is there room for my name there,
Miss CIara?' he asked rather stlffiy,
not relishing her enthusiasm, and IN
clined to think that, after all, the
Sweet grip had considerable co.
quetry about her."
II believe there are one or two
dances left" she answered with an in
difference which made Maude smile,
remembering how different her recep-
ton of Georges attentions had been on
former occasion.
lou had better take what dances
you wish before my card is filed" she
said, quietly, when her lover had re-
turned Clara's card.
ooh, I'll attend to that after the first
Dance" he answered; and in another
moment they had taken their places
upon the floor.
Maude said nothing; but her quiet
smile meant volumes.
George spoke little while dancing;
he was nettled by the marked change
in Clara's manner. He did not care a
straw for the girl, but his vanity was
wounded. He furtively watched her
as she danced with Stephen Black
singularly handsome man, he acknowl-
edged to himself-and observed all her
little airs and graces-the very arts
which she had employed to please him
not long ago. The moment the dance
was over he seated Maude be-
side some of her friends and
rushed off to take Clara, de-
termined to divert her attention from
this interloper. Clara, on the other
hand, was bent on retaining Mr.. Black
by her side, and her chagrin could not
be concealed when he, glad of the pre-
text afforded by Georges approach,
bowed himself away and walked across
the room to Maude.
Ten minutes after, when George,
mercilessly snubbed by Clara, discon-
solately sought his betrothed, his
smarting vanity needing the balm of
her unwavering devotion, he found her
talking gaily with Mr.. Black, who
made no effort to conceal his apprecia-
ton of her society. With easy grace
she introduced the two gentlemen, who
bowed stiffly to each other, then re-
sumed her conversation, which con-
sisted of old "reminiscences in which
George had no share; therefore he
could take no part in their talk.
In moment he had forgotten all
about Clara and his petty annoyance on
her account. while pang of real jeal-
ousy seized his heart. For the first
time in his knowledge of her he saw
Maude entirely engrossed with another
man, that man former sutton, and his
was not pleasant one. He
stood beside her for some time, waiting
for word or look; but she had seem
ingly forgotten his very existence. By
and-hy he quietly touched her hand.
"Will you give me your card,
he asked, as she looked
Certainly" she smilingly answered;
'but Pm afraid all the dances are gone"
He looked at it without a word; as
she had said, there was not one dance
left.
IL told you when we entered the
room that you had better secure as
many as you DESIRED" she said, in
answer to his look of reproach. And
ne, remembering his Indifference, could
answer nothing.
That was the most miserable evening
George Campbell ever spent. Maude,
n the gayest of spirits, was so absorbed
oy Stephen Black that he had no op-
to exchange more than half
lozen words with her during the entire
evening. Nor was he the only sufferer;
Clara Vaughan, always on the lookout
or fresh conquests, had determined to
secure Stephens attention, and was
made absolutely furious by his devotion
% Maude. She could not retain him
oy her side for three consecutive
minutes; her Establishments fell power
ess on this man of the world, who
Knew every phase of coquet's art,
md thought Clara rather o clumsy
though she did very well
.or village girl. Maude's simple frank
less and absence of self-consciousness
suited him far better, and he remained
~ her side as much as possible.
But Clara had determined upon one
grand effort, and late in the evening
to make it.
Mr.. Black and Naude were still |
and talking together in a COR
Ter of the ballroom. Near nv stood